How to Take This Medication
Take Lortab exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take Lortab with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much Lortab could be very harmful. Do not stop taking Lortab suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you feel uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose.

Drug Interactions
Do not take Lortab if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result. The most serious interactions affecting Lortab are with those drugs that also cause sedation. Numerous drugs may lead to dangerous sedation if taken with Lortab: Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter medicines. Many other drugs contain acetaminophen, especially over-the-counter pain, fever, cold, and allergy medications.

Precautions
Lortab is habit forming and should only be used under close supervision if you have an alcohol or drug addiction. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; liver disease; asthma; urinary retention; an enlarged prostate; hypothyroidism; seizures epilepsy; gallbladder disease; a head injury; or Addison's disease. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. If you are younger than 18 years of age or older than 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Lortab therapy. Use extra caution.

Possible Side Effects
Stop taking Lortab and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); slow, weak breathing; seizures; cold, clammy skin; severe weakness or dizziness; unconsciousness; yellowing of the skin or eyes; or unusual fatigue, bleeding, or bruising. Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Notes
Avoid alcohol while taking Lortab. Alcohol will greatly increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by Lortab and could be dangerous. Also, acetaminophen can damage your liver if you drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day. Avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These medications also may cause dangerous sedation. Do not share Lortab with others for whom it was not prescribed, since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug.

More Information:

MedlinePlus: Lortab
DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency): Lortab
Drugs@FDA: Lortab
Wikipedia: Lortab

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